Envelop.



No. 706,4l7. Patented Aug. 5, I902.

J. B. HOWE. v ENVELOP.

(Application filed May 12, 1902.)

(No Model.)

NlTh Stains r OFFICE.

JOHN B. HO\VE, OF WVINDBER, PENNSYLVANIA.

ENVELO P.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 706,417, dated August 5, 1902.

Application filed May 12, 1902.

the invention being to provide novel means whereby an envelop when sealed may not be opened by unauthorized persons without such opening being detected.

To this end the invention consists in the novel construction,combination,and arrangement, as will be hereinafter more fully described and then specifically pointed out in the claims.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views, in which-- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved seal in position on an envelop, the latter being partly broken away in order to show the seal in position. Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal sectional view of the envelop with the seal applied in position. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective View of one member of the seal.

My improved envelop-seal is adapted to be employed in connection with any ordinary envelop, and it consists of a thimble or sleeve 1, which may be made of metal or other hard substance having the desired strength and rigidity. This thimble or sleeve is closed at one end and open at the other end, being substantially cylindrical in form and provided with a covering of suitable fabric-such as closely-woven linen, canvas, or other materialas indicated at 2, this covering forming a diaphragm 3 over the open end of the thimble. The covering is suitably secured by stitchingor any other desired method, and said covering is drawn together at a point, as shown at 4 in Fig. 1, so as to hold the Serial ITO-106,885. (N0 model.)

' diaphragm stretched tightly across the open end of the thimble; In connection with this member of the seal just described I employ a disk 5, which is provided with one or more barbed prongs 6. The device is used by placing the covered thimble or drum within the envelop 7 after the contents have been placed in the latter. The sealing-flap 8 is then sealed against the back of the envelop, after which the barbed prongs 6 are passed through the sealing-flap 8, through the back of the envelop, and through the diaphragm 3, so that the sealing-flap may not be opened along. its sealed edge without breaking the same in a manner that could be readily detected. The thimble or drum is made comparatively fiat and of a size which will act as an obstruction, and for clearness of illustration I-have shown the same somewhat enlarged. If desired, the diaphragm 3 may be provided on its outer face with adhesive substance, so that it may be secured to the inner face of the back of the envelop, which will facilitate the sealing of the envelop, as no great care will need be exercised in order to retain the thimble or drum in position to receive the barbed prongs of the disk.

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the general spirt of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. An "envelop-seal consisting of a metal thimble having a covering of suitable fabric, and a disk having barbed prongs to penetrate said fabric and connect the disk with the thimble, substantially as described.

2. An envelop-seal consisting of two members, one having a diaphragm of fabric or like material, and the other having prongs to penetrate the envelop and said diaphragm to connect the members together, substantially as described. I p l In testimony whereof I affix, my. signature in the presence of two witnesses. i

JOHN B; Il-OWE.

Witnesses:

O. J. SHANK, JOHN KINNY. 

